What is OMEGA Speedmaster?
The OMEGA Speedmaster is a popular line of chronograph wristwatches that has been in production since 1957. It was originally designed for use in motorsports, but it is perhaps best known as the watch that was selected by NASA for use in space missions.
In 1965, NASA began the process of selecting a wristwatch for use in space exploration. Several brands and models were tested, but the OMEGA Speedmaster was ultimately chosen as the only watch that met all of NASA's requirements. It was used in every manned NASA mission from Gemini and Apollo to the Space Shuttle program.
The OMEGA Speedmaster has a distinctive look, with a black dial, large luminous hands, and three sub-dials for measuring elapsed time. It also features a tachymeter scale around the bezel, which allows the wearer to measure speed over a fixed distance.
Over the years, the OMEGA Speedmaster has undergone several updates and improvements, including the addition of new materials and movements. There are now several different models of the Speedmaster available, including the Speedmaster Professional, the Speedmaster Racing, and the Speedmaster Moonwatch.
Despite its long history and iconic status, the OMEGA Speedmaster remains a popular choice among watch enthusiasts and collectors. Its durability, precision, and role in space exploration have made it one of the most recognizable and respected timepieces in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions about omega speedmaster
The Speedmaster was launched in 1957 but its official space legacy started in 1965, when NASA qualified it for use on its piloted missions. Since then, it has been worn on all six lunar landings and earned the nickname “the Moonwatch”.
The Speedmaster's history goes back to 1957 when it was introduced as a sports and racing chronograph, complementing Omega's position as the official timekeeper for the Olympic Games.
Switzerland
But if you like to know the origin of luxury watch brands, you might be wondering, “Where are Omega watches made?” Omega watches were born and continue to be made in Switzerland.
Discover the legendary Speedmaster collection, OMEGA's esteemed line of luxury, Swiss‑made watches. With a rich heritage in space...
So, why are Omega watches so expensive? An Omega watch is costly because it is Swiss-Made and incredibly precise. Moreover, the brand uses several marketing strategies and also focuses much on celebrity endorsements. It eventually creates the perception that the watches are worth the hefty price tag.
The Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins were wearing an Omega Speedmaster during their Apollo 11 mission that would put for the very first time a ''man on the moon''.
And it operates much like a chrono graph you find on any other watch it has a really standard layout of a crown with two pushers on the right-hand side whereas.
1957: Omega Released the first Speedmaster model, ref. CK2915 with the caliber 321. 1959: Ref. 2998 came to market featuring a black Tachymeter bezel, 40mm case, and Alpha hands.
On the caseback of certain Omega watches like the Omega Speedmaster and Seamaster is a distinct engraving known as the Omega Seahorse or the Omega Hippocampus.
Brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Omega are considered to be luxury watch brands. Because of this, their watches tend to hold value better than other brands. The thing is that people are more willing to pay a high price for a luxury watch because they know that it is a quality product.
Out of the shortlist of selected watches, both the Longines Wittnauer and the Rolex Cosmograph both failed testing, which means, on June 1st, 1965, the Omega Speedmaster was chosen as the watch that was certified for manned space missions. This means, to this day, Omega is likely NASA's longest consistent supplier.
Each model of Omega watch has an unique identifier, the so-called product identification code or PIC for short, which consists of 14 digits. The first three digits identify the collection, such as 311 for the Speedmaster, the next two explain the housing and band material.
The symbol of Omega which is used in the Omega brand ” Ω ” is actually the capitalized Omega letter in the Greek alphabet. The lowercase Omega symbol is not used in the branding ” ω “. The word itself means the “Great O”. The lowercase letter is referred to as omicron, or the “Little O”.
